Sealing assembly



,qrromvsvs INVENTOR. Lawrence 6. 5a5/W w;

April 28, 1953 e SAYWELL SEALING ASSEMBLY Filed July 17, 1948 same.

Patented Apr. 28, 1953 SEALING ASSEMBLY Lawrence G. Saywell, San Mateo, Calif., assignor to Saywell Associates, a joint venture comprising Guy F. Atkinson Company, a corporation of Nevada, George H. Atkinson and Lawrence G. Saywell, both of San Mateo, Calif.

Application July 17, 1948, Serial No. 39,245

Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to devices adapted to form a seal between inner and outer concentric parts. Such devices are particularly applicable to seal against leakage of lubricant from shaft bearings.

In my Patent No. 2,428,041, filed September 26, 1945, there is disclosed a sealing device comprising inner and outer structures having members in overlapping relation on annular sealing areas. Certain of the members of the device are formed of relatively thin spring metal stressed or sprung to maintain the overlapping portions in sealing engagement.

A device of this character is subject to injury or breakage to destroy its usefulness as a lubricant seal. Injury may occur during installation, as by stressing the thin sheet metal members beyond their elastic limits, or by accidental mutilation or breakage of the members of the device during use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sealing device of the type disclosed in my said Patent No. 2,428,041, but which will be adequately protected against accidental injury or breakage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character which will afford protection against injury due to excessive axial movement between the outer and inner structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character which can be readily manufactured, and which will incorporate protective elements integral with other parts of the assembly.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the pre ferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail in conjunction with the ac-- 'companying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

1 Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating a shaft bearing having one of my devices installed in connection with the Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail illustrating one embodiment of the invention. v

Figure 3 is a view like Figure 2 but showing another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 2 but showing a third embodiment of the invention.

'Figure 5 is a view like Figure 2 and showing a fourth embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a view like Figure 2 and showing a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional shaft l0 disposed concentric with respect to the outer part or housing II. A roller or ball bearing assembly l2 serves to journal the shaft with respect to the housing. One of my devices, indicated generally at I3, is installed adjacent the ball bearing assembly [2, for the purpose of preventing loss or leakage of lubricant.

Referring to the embodiment of Figure 2, the device comprises inner and outer structures including the inner and outer mounting rings ll and I5. Ring I4 is adapted to have a fluid tight fit upon the shaft [0, and ring 15 is proportioned to have a fluid tight fit within the bore [6 of the housing ll.

Mounting ring I4 serves to mount the annuluses H, which are preferably formed of relatively thin sheet metal such as high carbon spring steel, or suitable alloys such as Phosphor bronze, stainless steel and the like. For devices suitable for application to shafts of the more common sizes, it is satisfactory to form the annuluses of spring steel having a thickness of the order of 0.003 inch. Annuluses ll are in overlapping relationship with and cooperate with a pair of similar annuluses 18, carried by the outer mounting ring IS. A predetermined spacing is maintained between the annuluses I! and 18 by means of the spacer rings 19 and 2|. The spacing is such that the annuluses are normally stressed laterally within their elastic limits, whereby their overlapping portions are urged together into sealing engagement.

In addition to the annuluses just described, guard annuluses 22, 23, 24 and 25 are provided. These annuluses are relatively rigid and strong compared to the annuluses I! and i8, and may for example be formed of steel having a thickness of the order of 0.03 inch. It will be noted that one inner and one outer annulus is assembled against the flanges 26a and 21a provided on the mounting rings l4 and IS. The other guard annuluses are held in place by the flanges 26b and 211), thus serving to firmly clamp and hold the annuluses l1 and IS in the complete assembly. ,l

The guard annuluses are proportioned whereby the outer edges of the annuluses 22 and 23 are adjacent to but radially spaced from the inner edges of the annuluses 24 and 25. Also the guard annuluses are shaped whereby except for the peripheral edges of the same (which maintain clamping engagement with the annuluses I1 and 18) they are spaced from the annuluses ll and [8 whereby there is no inter;

fiexing movetween the spring metal annuluses. f

The device illustrated in Figure 2 is shown installed with the bearing of Figure 1. When the device is being installed there is little if any danger of causing injury to the device, due to the protection afforded by the rigid guard ,annuluses 22 to 25. the mounting rings Hi and It} in'abutting relation with the races for the ball bearing l2,

When finally installed, with v the overlapping portions of the annuluses' ll and [8 form an effective seal against leakage of lubricant. As previously explained the stressing or loading serves to maintain pressure between the overlapping sealing areas 23 and 29, thus maintaining the desired seal. The radial spacing between the guard annuluses it, and '24, 25 accommodates a certain amount of radial I misalignment, the same as if such guards were ing relatively severe impacts and forces which would otherwise cause serious mutilation or breakage of the annuluses i7 and it.

' In the embodiment described above the guard annuluses 22 to '25 serve to provide clamping members to retain the annuluses ll and I8 in .1

proper position. In the embodiment of Figure 3 one inner and one outer annulus is also formed to provide the inner and outer mounting rings. Thus in this instance the inner and outer annuluses l1 and I8 are the same as in Figure 2 and they are likewise associated with the spacer rings [9 and 2|. Insteadofa separate mounting' ring as in Figure 2, in Figure 3 the one guard annulus 3| is formed with an integral offset por tlon 3 2, and an integral rim 33. Guard annulus 34 issimilarly formed with an oifset portion 35 and a rim 36.

The rims 33 and 36 of Figure 3 serve the same spaced, they are in overlapping relation. normal clearance or spacing 60 between the overin the rim 48, and annulus 56 has an offset margin 51 fitted within the rim 52. The rims 48, 52 have the turned over edge portions or flanges 58, 59.

In the arrangement-"of Figure 4, in place of having the inner and outer 'annuluses radially The lapping portions of the guard annuluses is equal to twice the desired permissible movement in a direction axially of the shaft.

In installingthe. device of Figure 4 it is impossible to cause-injury or breakage to the an- "nulus'es I land; Ill, by causing too much axial displacement of the inner and outer structures.

Any suehdisplacement is necessarily limited by the spacing (ill. After being installed the proper normal position of the-parts is substantially as shown in Figure 4. Thus a substantial clearance is maintained between the overlapping portions of the guard annulu'se's; to avoid wear or friction. However, considerable movement of the shaft may occur in a direction longitudinally of its axis, without bringing the guard annuluses into direct rubbing contact. In addition there is no interference to radial movement between the inner and' outer structures-such as occurs when there is a slight misalignment.

The embodiment of Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4. in that it likewise limits displacement between the inner and outer structures in a direc tion longitudinally of the shaft axis. However, in this instance there is likewise a limitation with respect to displacement in a radial direction. In this instance cylindrical inner and outer mounting rings 5| and 62 are provided. The inner resilient annuluses 63, which are carried by mounting ring iii; are in overlapping sealing engagement with the single resilient annulus 64.

purpose as the separate mounting rings is and l5 of Figure 2, that is to accommodate the annuluses I1 and I8 and the spacer rings l9 and 2|. Guard annulus til is formed with an offset portion 39 proportioned to fit Within the rim 33. Guard annulus 4! has a similar offset portion '42, proportioned to fit within the rim 36'. The

assemblies on the rims 33, 36 are held clamped Q together by the turned over edges or flanges 43, 44.

In the embodiment of Figure 4 the guard annuluses are arranged to limit relative axial move- The inner peripheral edges of the annuluses 63 are separated by the spacer 65, and the loading of annuluses 63 can be accomplished by the proportioning of the spacer-65, or by providing a dished form for the annuluses 52, before the same are assembled. The guard annulus 65 has an inturned portion 61 serving to fit within the mounting ring 6i, and to provide means for clamping against the inner peripheral edge of the adjacent annulus 63. A cooperating guard annulus (it has an offset portion 69 in spaced overlapping relation with annulus 66. Likewise d annuluslsthas an inturned portion ll fitting within the mounting ring 82, and serving as a clamping shoulder for the outer peripheral edge portion of annulus 64. 'The guard ani'lulus' it. is formed in the same manner as annulus in that it has an inturned portion it tightly fitting upon the mounting ring 6|, Guard annulus it is similar to annulus 68 in that it has the offset portion 15 and the inturned portion l6. Mounting rings BI, 82 have turned over edges orflanges ll, 78 to clamp and retain the associated parts.

With the parts assembled as in Figure 5, it will be evident that the guard annuluses limit movement between the outer and inner structures in a direction longitudinally of the axis. At the same time radial movement between the innerand outer structures is limited, thus maintaining neral alignment in the manufacture of the assembly, and precluding radial misalignment beyond permissible limits.

The embodiment of Figure 6 is similar to Figure 3. However, the guard ahnuluses 8|, 82 are formed without the offsets 32, 35, but instead are simply formed to provide the rims 83, 84, and the turned over flanges 86, 81 (formed at the time of final assembly). Spacer rings 88, 89 serve the same purpose as the offsets 32, 35.

I claim:

1. In a sealing device of the type adapted to be installed in an annular recess between outer and inner concentric parts to provide a fluid tight seal, outer and inner structures adapted to be disposed in fluid tight relationship with the outer and inner parts, one structure including a mounting ring and a thin spring metal annulus carried by the mounting ring, the other structure providing a mounting ring and an annular surface having overlapping sealing engagement with the margin of the annulus, two relatively rigid guard annuluses carried by each of said mounting rings and disposed to extend over the faces of said spring metal annulus, said guard annuluses having their free margins in relatively close proximity but spaced from direct engagement.

2. A device adapted to be disposed in an annular space between outer and inner concentric parts comprising outer and inner structures adapted to be disposed in fluid tight relationship with the outer and inner parts, each of said structures comprising a mounting ring and at least one thin spring metal annulus carried by the ring, the annuluses of the two structures being in overlapping and sealing engagement, and two rigid guard annuluses carried by each of said mounting rings and extending parallel to and over the faces of said first named annuluses, said guard annuluses having periphera1 edge portions of the same in close proximity but spaced from direct engagement.

3. In a device adapted to be installed in an annular space between outer and inner concentric parts to provide a seal, outer and inner structures adapted to be disposed in fluid tight relationship with the outer and inner parts, each structure comprising a mounting ring and a thin spring metal annulus carried by the mounting ring, peripheral edge portions of the spring metal annuluses being in overlapping and sealing engagement, and two relatively rigid guard annuluses carried by each of said mounting rings and extending parallel to and over the faces of said first named annuluses, the two outer guard annuluses being spaced from the adjacent outer resilient annuluses and the two inner guard annuluses being spaced from the inner resilient annuluses and also having spaced overlapping relationship with the inner peripheral edge portions of the outer guard annuluses.

4. A device as in claim 3 in which one of the outer guard annuluses is formed integral with the outer mounting ring and the other outer guard annulus is formed to have a press fit within the outer mounting ring and to clamp against the outer resilient annuluses, and in which one of the inner guard annuluses is formed a an integral part of the inner mounting ring, and the other inner guard annulus is formed to have a press fit Within the inner mounting ring, thereby to serve as clamping means for the inner resilient annuluses.

5. A device as in claim 2 in which the annular region of proximity between said guard annuluses is on a diameter corresponding generally to the mean diameter of the overlap between said spring metal annuluses.

LAWRENCE G. SAYWELL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,000,341 Larsh May 7, 1935 2,240,252 Bernstein Apr. 29, 1941 2,275,996 Searles Mar. 10, 1942 2,322,834 Dornhofer June .29, 1943 2,404,610 Abell July 23, 1946 2,428,041 Saywell Sept. 30, 1947 

